Page 2161 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 5 June 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
best practice end-of-life processing operations, give priority to onshore recycling facilities where these exist, comply with the current Clean Energy Council and ABRI industry guidance, and provide an end-of-life plan for their installations. This is the sort of producer responsibility that we want to see through all sorts of consumer products.
I am very encouraged, if not slightly surprised, to see Ms Lawder bring on this motion today. Just this morning we had a debate about compost and the idea that the government’s attempt to see composting take place was an overreach into people’s lives. Now we are having a discussion about these sorts of things. I look forward to further support from the Liberal Party for things like producer responsibility, for making sure that we have closed-loop systems and that we take recycling and product stewardship more seriously than perhaps has been the case in the past.
In relation to solar panels, as Ms Lawder has noted in her motion, the ACT is excelling when it comes to solar panel installation. Around 21,000 Canberra households and businesses have now installed a rooftop solar system, totalling around 75 megawatts installed capacity. Coupled with our Canberra-based large-scale solar farms, over 110 megawatts of solar generating capacity is now operating in the territory.
I recently announced the new solar for business program. That is a trial that offers eligible ACT businesses independent tailored advice and rebates of up to $5,000 for the installation of solar systems. It will be a 12-month trial, running until February next year. The results to date indicate that the trial is effectively addressing the barriers faced by business, including up-front financial costs and limited knowledge about rooftop solar.
That second point is really important. The community organisations and businesses I have spoken to are really appreciating this advice. Energy systems, rooftop solar and energy usage generally are not your core business if you are running a small business—or a church, as was the case I heard about when I was out in Weston Creek last week. Unless somebody in the organisation has expertise from a previous career or outside interest, or simply has the time to sit down and do it, generally it would be put in the too-hard basket. Businesses have indicated to me that they are wary that people who try to sell them a system are trying to sell them something when they are not convinced that it is necessarily in their best interests to take that offer and just do not have the time to research it. What we are seeking to do with this model is provide a level of independent government advice so that people can have confidence in investing in their systems.
For many businesses, it is worthwhile economically, even without a government rebate, to invest. It is not for everybody, but for many it will be. There is no reason why you would not invest in a large-scale solar system for a business, especially if you own the building. For tenants there can be some different discussions. This is where it gets into the complexities and why people are nervous about investing. But for many organisations now, it makes economic sense; in fact, you would be mad not to. We want to get out there and encourage them and help them find their way through some of the barriers that people have expressed to us.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video